He then held up three fingers. "Specifically, there are three conditions. Hear me out."

"First, a monthly stipend of thirty taels of silver." Liu Maolin stated the amount, then added, "This price isn’t much for a Dark Energy master, but it’s just the baseline."

Yang Jing nodded. A monthly stipend of thirty taels was enough to support a common family for several years, so he didn’t think it was a small sum. However, compared to the going rate for other Dark Energy Martial Artists he knew of, thirty taels of silver wasn’t much.

Liu Maolin continued, "Second, I’ll give you five Spirit Fish each month."

"Spirit Fish?" Yang Jing was taken aback for a moment. The name alone sounded extraordinary.

"Don’t underestimate these Spirit Fish," Liu Maolin explained. "Their flesh and blood contain immense energy, which is greatly beneficial for a Martial Artist nourishing their Inner Strength. On the market, a single one costs at least twenty-five taels—far more expensive than this whole table of food."

Yang Jing’s heart trembled.

’He estimated this meal cost upwards of ten taels, maybe even close to twenty. A single Spirit Fish is worth twenty-five taels? Five would be one hundred and twenty-five taels... This offer is far too generous.’

"Our medical hall has special channels for acquiring Spirit Fish, so we can keep the cost down a bit, but they’re still not cheap." Liu Maolin smiled. "If you make a soup with these Spirit Fish, the effect will be much better than eating the meat of ferocious beasts."

Before Yang Jing could fully process the value of the Spirit Fish, Liu Maolin stated the third condition. "Third, every month, you can go to the medical hall’s herb repository and take up to fifty taels’ worth of medicinal herbs. Whether it’s to replenish qi, strengthen bones, or regulate your inner breath, you can pick whatever you want, as long as we have it in stock."

Seeing the surprise on Yang Jing’s face, he added, "The nourishing power of medicinal herbs is far purer than the meat of ferocious beasts. From now on, if you combine a diet of beast meat with medicinal supplements, and add Spirit Fish on top of that, your cultivation speed in the Dark Energy Realm will definitely increase by a huge margin."

Yang Jing’s hands, resting on his knees, tightened slightly.

’A monthly stipend, Spirit Fish, medicinal herbs...’ Each of these three conditions precisely hit on his needs. For his current stage of cultivation, they were practically essential.

Just as Yang Jing was about to speak, Liu Maolin suddenly held up a hand. "Wait, Junior Brother. There’s something I have to say first."

He looked at Yang Jing, his tone sincere. "I know you’re a Dark Energy master now. That status carries a different weight. Once the news of your breakthrough spreads, many factions will surely try to recruit you. Even the six great families of Yuhe County might make an appearance."

"These great families have vast enterprises and are wealthy and powerful. They could probably offer you better terms than our Liu Family." Liu Maolin paused, as if he had made up his mind. "So, you don’t need to answer me right away. You can absolutely wait, compare a few offers, and then decide."

Although his words were for Yang Jing’s benefit, Liu Maolin’s fingertips quietly clenched into a fist.

In his heart, he wanted Yang Jing to agree more than anyone, but he couldn’t bring himself to pressure him. He was even more afraid that Yang Jing would regret it later, creating a rift between the two of them.

Yang Jing listened, nodded, and a smile suddenly appeared on his face. "Alright."

Liu Maolin’s heart sank. The smile on his face froze instantly, but he forced another smile and nodded. "Then... then we can talk about it again in a few days. There’s no rush."

’Looks like... Junior Brother still wants to see what other factions have to offer. It seems the Liu Family’s sincerity might not be enough to keep him.’

Just as he was feeling dejected, he heard Yang Jing ask with a laugh in his voice, "Senior Brother Liu, what do you mean? Don’t tell me the conditions you just offered are no longer valid?"

Liu Maolin froze, then snapped his head up to look at Yang Jing. Seeing the teasing look in his eyes, he belatedly realized he’d been played!

"You... you mean..." Liu Maolin’s voice trembled, the stiffness on his face instantly replaced by elation. "Junior Brother, you agree?"

Yang Jing nodded with a smile. "Of course."

He dropped his smile and said seriously, "The Liu Family Medical Hall has treated me well. From the very beginning, they never looked down on me for my poor aptitude, but instead looked out for me at every turn. Staying here, I feel at ease."

"Besides," Yang Jing looked at Liu Maolin, "the conditions you’ve offered are more than good enough. The Spirit Fish, medicinal herbs, and silver are exactly what I need most right now. As for other factions..."

He shook his head. "They might offer more, but they might not give me the peace of mind to cultivate."

Many Dark Energy Martial Artists, feeling they have no hope of breaking through to the next realm, will shift their focus to other things at this stage—be it factional struggles, family business, or other matters.

But Yang Jing was different. His path on the Martial Dao could still go further, and he didn’t want to be distracted by other things.

Staying at the Liu Family Medical Hall had two advantages: first, they were already familiar with each other, so there would be no adjustment period. Second, with Liu Maolin there, Yang Jing felt secure.

Liu Maolin’s eyes lit up as he listened. He slammed his hand on the table, nearly knocking over the teacup. "Good brother! I knew you weren’t the kind of person to abandon friends for profit!"

He was so excited he stood up, paced around the private room a couple of times, then sat back down and gripped Yang Jing’s hand tightly. "Don’t you worry. As long as I’m here, the Liu Family Medical Hall will never short you on benefits!"

He couldn’t hide the excitement on his face. Even his voice was a few notches louder, his earlier dejection having vanished without a trace.

Yang Jing watched his happy expression and smiled as well.

For him, this trust and stability were more important than the greater amounts of silver and benefits other factions might offer.

After settling the matter, the two of them chatted and laughed as they stood up and left the private room. 𝚏𝗿𝗲𝐞𝚠𝕖𝐛𝗻𝗼𝐯𝕖𝚕.𝚌𝗼𝗺

After paying the bill, they walked out of Fuman Pavilion and boarded the carriage waiting outside.

The carriage slowly pulled away from the Inner City. Its wheels rumbled over the stone-paved roads of the Outer City, creating a slightly bumpy ride.

Inside the carriage, a small oil lamp was lit, its dim yellow light illuminating their faces.

Liu Maolin leaned back against the seat, suddenly remembering something. He turned to Yang Jing and said, "Oh, right, Junior Brother. In about twenty days, the county is holding the training ground examination."

Yang Jing nodded.

Although he usually focused all his attention on training and didn’t care much for most other things, he still paid attention to a major event like the training ground examination.

"This examination is the first hurdle of the military examinations," Liu Maolin said. "Not many people pass it each year, but you’re a Dark Energy Martial Artist now. You’ll have no problem giving it a try. Even if you don’t win, you won’t be in any real danger."

He looked at Yang Jing, pondered for a moment, and continued, "I think you should give it a shot this year. Even if you don’t pass, you can still gain some experience. You’re still young, and you’ll have plenty of opportunities in the future. You’re bound to pass eventually."

"Once you pass the training ground examination, you’ll have a semi-official status," Liu Maolin said with a hint of envy in his voice. "At that point, being both a Dark Energy master and having that status, you’ll be a truly prominent figure in Yuhe County. Even those great families will have to treat you with respect."

Yang Jing’s fingertips twitched slightly, and ripples spread through his heart.

Although he wasn’t enthusiastic about officialdom, he understood the weight carried by the words "official status."

In these chaotic times, having an official status would make things much more convenient. Even a semi-official one would be enough to give him a firm foothold in Yuhe County. It would even give him more confidence and freedom of movement when he eventually went to Caozhou or other places to search for his father and uncle.

Moreover, the reason he had spent so much to join a Martial Arts Hall and practice martial arts in the first place was that his grandfather, grandmother, father, and mother had all hoped he would one day make a name for himself in the military examinations. In the eyes of the villagers, the military examination was the training ground examination; they knew nothing of the subsequent rounds of tests and selections.

Passing the training ground examination would grant exemption from land taxes and allow him to collect fees by letting others register under his name. Although the benefits were numerous, the current Yang Jing looked down on such petty cash.

The real reasons he was interested in the military examinations were: first, the official status; second, his family’s hopes; and third, the desire to test his own abilities. Finally, if he could pass the training ground examination, it would be a way to prove himself and make his master value him more. Yang Jing knew very well that only by demonstrating sufficient worth could he attract more resources.

Thinking of this, Yang Jing couldn’t help but feel a surge of longing and anticipation.